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Adopted children face unequal access to health coverage based on adoption type

People in America adopt hundreds of thousands of children every year, but not all of them receive health insurance once adopted into their second home. A study by University of Maryland (UMD) School of Public Health, out today in Health Affairs, reveals major differences in coverage depending on adoption type (domestic or international) and citizenship status of the adoptive parent.

4 Aug 2025

New analgesic shows promise as opioid alternative

Opioids like morphine are widely used in medical practice due to their powerful pain-relieving effects. However, they carry the risk of serious adverse effects such as respiratory depression and drug dependence.

4 Aug 2025

HIV trial points to semaglutide as a new anti-aging contender

Once-weekly semaglutide significantly slowed epigenetic aging in adults with HIV-associated lipohypertrophy, as measured by multiple DNA methylation clocks in a randomized controlled trial. These exploratory findings suggest GLP-1 receptor agonists could impact biological aging but require further validation in broader populations.

4 Aug 2025

New treatment shows greater success in reducing binge eating among veterans

Researchers from University of California San Diego have found that a novel treatment called regulation of cues combined with behavioral weight loss (ROC+BWL) was more effective than standard cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in reducing binge eating among veterans with overweight or obesity.

4 Aug 2025

Long-term care communities can boost social engagement in older adults

A new study from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus finds that older adults become more socially active after moving into long-term care communities like nursing homes or assisted living facilities but we might not all benefit equally.

4 Aug 2025

McGill researchers develop digital tool to reduce unnecessary medication use

McGill University researchers have developed and are licensing a digital tool to help safely reduce patients' use of medications that may be unnecessary or even harmful to them.

4 Aug 2025

Eating more ultra-processed food raises your risk of lung cancer

The association between ultra-processed food consumption and lung cancer risk underscores the importance of nutrition in cancer prevention strategies.

4 Aug 2025

Dual tobacco use: Examining patterns in Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black men with chronic illness

Cannabis use is gaining popularity in the United States, driven by growing legalization, public acceptance and diverse methods of consumption.

4 Aug 2025

New Swiss study probes lingering fatigue after Legionnaires' disease

Researchers in Switzerland launched the LongLEGIO study to compare the long-term health impacts of Legionnaires’ disease and other bacterial pneumonias. Baseline data reveal key differences in comorbidities and quality of life between the groups, with follow-up underway.

4 Aug 2025

Study explores the impact of COVID-19 pandemic among youth and parents across the U.S. Midwest

The COVID-19 pandemic upended life for individuals and communities worldwide. Social isolation, health mandates, illness, and economic hardships took a toll on the well-being of families and children, but there were also silver linings to people's experiences.

1 Aug 2025

New study confirms cardiovascular safety of COVID-19 vaccines

The incidence of heart attacks and strokes was lower after COVID-19 vaccination than before or without vaccination, according to a new study involving nearly the whole adult population of England.

1 Aug 2025

Deadly opioid contaminants uncovered in Adelaide street drug supply

A synthetic opioid 1000 times more potent than morphine is infiltrating the street drug trade in Adelaide, Australia, sparking fears of a wave of overdoses that could be lethal.

1 Aug 2025

Characterization of antibodies targeting ASO modifications for intracellular trafficking

A new article in the peer-reviewed journal Nucleic Acid Therapeutics describes the characterization of antibodies targeting antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) phosphorothioate and 2'-methoxyehtyl modifications for intracellular trafficking and biodistribution studies.

1 Aug 2025

Deep staff cuts at a little-known federal agency pose trouble for droves of local health programs

A little-known federal agency that sends more than $12 billion annually to support community health centers, addiction treatment services, and workforce initiatives for America's neediest people has been hobbled by the Trump administration's staffing purges.

1 Aug 2025

Vaping may be reversing decades of progress against youth smoking

The rise of vaping in youth correlates with increased smoking risk, undermining public health efforts. Study calls for enhanced tobacco control measures.

1 Aug 2025

Scientists finally define what it means to be flexitarian

Researchers conducted a systematic review to develop a clear, evidence-based definition of the “flexitarian” diet, identifying it as consuming animal products at least once a month but less than once a week. Analysis of 42 countries’ dietary guidelines revealed that while “flexitarian” is not officially recognized, many nations implicitly support plant-forward eating by recommending reduced red meat consumption.

31 Jul 2025

New research reveals why fiber-rich diets fuel you better than refined foods

This study quantifies how much energy the human body harvests from gut microbial fermentation of dietary fiber, integrating bacterial physiology, diet, and metagenomic data. Results reveal that dietary fiber, not microbiome composition, mainly determines the amount of short-chain fatty acids absorbed, impacting daily energy and metabolic health.

31 Jul 2025

KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': Next on Kennedy’s list? Preventive care and vaccine harm

In his ongoing effort to reshape health policy, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. reportedly plans to overhaul two more government entities: the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.

31 Jul 2025

$29 million grant funds research on fibrinogen in trauma care

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus will lead a groundbreaking national clinical trial-supported by a $29 million grant from Octapharma-to evaluate whether early replacement of fibrinogen, a critical blood clotting mechanism in the body, can improve outcomes for trauma patients experiencing life-threatening bleeding.

31 Jul 2025

Powerful bioactives found in overlooked Amazonian fruits

Lesser-known Amazonian fruits exhibit strong antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, highlighting their role in public health and biotechnology research.

31 Jul 2025